Drawer type refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A drawer type refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator main body having an open front surface; a plurality of sliding doors configured to open and close the front surface of the refrigerator main body and pullable out from the refrigerator main body; and a guide rail providing a moving route of the sliding door pulled out from the refrigerator main body, wherein the sliding door has a plurality of shelves spaced apart from each other and configured to store items in a height direction of the sliding door.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on and claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0078400, filed on Jul. 5, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a drawer type refrigerator appliance.

BACKGROUND

In general, a refrigerator is an appliance and may include two or more storage compartments separated vertically or horizontally. One of the storage compartments can be used as a freezer for freezing food in an inner environment maintained at a temperature of about −7° C. or lower. The other one of the storage compartments can be used as a refrigeration compartment for refrigerating food in an inner environment maintained at a temperature of about −4° C. to 2° C.

The refrigerator appliance may have various storage shelves and drawers for storing food items. The inner spaces of the storage shelves and drawers are maintained at a low temperature by a coolant. Further, the refrigerator appliance may have a freezer door and a refrigeration compartment door (hereinafter, collectively referred to as a “refrigerator door”) for selectively sealing the freezer and refrigeration compartments and the doors are used for putting in and taking out food and preventing outflow of cold air in the freezer and the refrigeration compartments.

A conventional refrigerator appliance has a structure in which a refrigerator door rotates about a hinge shaft (hinged structure). Therefore, the refrigerator can be opened and closed by opening and closing the refrigerator door.

However, in the conventional refrigerator having the above-described hinged door, the storage compartment of the refrigerator can be expanded rearward to increase storage capacity of the refrigerator. Therefore, it is often required to first take out items stored near the door in order to then take out items stored in the rear part of the storage compartment and, also, it is difficult to check types of items stored in the rear part of the storage compartment because they are not generally accessible.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a drawer type refrigerator appliance that allows items stored in a rear part of a refrigeration compartment to be easily and simply taken out from a side portion without moving items stored in a front part of the refrigeration compartment.

In accordance with a drawer type refrigerator, comprising: a refrigerator main body having an open front surface; a plurality of sliding doors configured to open and close the front surface of the refrigerator main body and operable to be pulled out from the refrigerator main body; and a guide rail providing a moving route, or displacement route, of the sliding door pulled out from the refrigerator main body, wherein the sliding door has a plurality of shelves spaced apart from each other and configured to store items in a height direction of the sliding door.

The drawer type refrigerator may further comprise: heels rotatably provided at a lower part of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and configured to support a load of the sliding door.

The guide rail may include: a fixed rail fixed to both sides of the refrigerator main body along a direction in which the sliding door is pulled out; and a moving rail that is slidably coupled to the fixed rail to move along the fixed rail and connected to the sliding door to move together with the sliding door.

The moving rail may be provided at both sides of the shelves to support the shelves.

The guide rail may further include a guide roller rotatably provided on a moving route of the moving rail. The moving route may also be known as a displacement route.

The drawer type refrigerator may further comprise: an operation switch provided at one side of the sliding door and configured to generate a drive signal responsive to a user interaction therewith; a door driving unit configured to apply an external force to the moving rail to move the sliding door; and a control unit configured to control the door driving unit by a drive signal received from the operation switch and/or a foot sensor.

The door driving unit may include: a rack gear formed at one side of the moving rail; and a pinion gear that is rotatably provided at one side of the refrigerator main body, tooth-engaged with the rack gear, and driven by the control unit.

The drawer type refrigerator may further comprise: a foot sensor provided at a lower end of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and configured to detect a user's foot and transmit a drive signal of the control unit at the time of detecting the user's foot.

The drawer type refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is advantageous in that items stored in the rear part of the refrigeration compartment can be easily and simply taken out from the side portion of the sliding door without any need to move items that are stored in the front part of the refrigeration compartment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a drawer type refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the drawer type refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which sliding doors are pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing control relation for automatically pulling out the sliding doors from the drawer type refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which a sliding door is pulled out from the state shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, configurations and operations of embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description is one of various patentable aspects of the disclosure and may form a part of the detailed description of the disclosure.

However, in describing the disclosure, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions that make the disclosure obscure may be omitted.

The disclosure may be variously modified and may include various embodiments. Specific embodiments will be exemplarily illustrated in the drawings and described in the detailed description of the embodiments. However, it should be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to specific embodiments but rather to cover all modifications, similarities, and alternatives which are included in the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

The terms used herein, including ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” may be used to describe, and not to limit, various components. The terms simply distinguish the components from one another.

When it is said that a component is “connected” or “linked” to another component, it should be understood that the former component may be directly connected or linked to the latter component or a third component may be interposed between the two components. On the other hand, when it is said that one component is “directly connected” or “directly linked” to another component, it should be understood that a third component is not interposed between the two components.

Specific terms used in the present application are used simply to describe specific embodiments without limiting the disclosure. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and the like are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, elements, components, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, elements, components, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

Hereinafter, a drawer type refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a drawer type refrigerator 10 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a refrigerator main body 100, sliding doors 200, and guide rails 300.

The embodiment of the present disclosure does not necessarily include only the above-described components. The embodiment of the present disclosure basically includes the above-described embodiments and may further include other configurations (e.g., widely known technologies in the refrigerator art). However, detailed descriptions of known configurations or functions that may obscure elements of the disclosure may be omitted.

The refrigerator main body 100 forming the overall or general external appearance of the refrigerator 10 may have a predetermined accommodating space therein. The entire portion of the refrigerator main body 100, except the front surface, is closed to maintain the temperature therein at a low level. Only the front surface of the refrigerator main body 100 is opened so that items such as food and the like can be put into and taken out from the accommodating space of the refrigerator main body 100.

The sliding door 200 is disposed on the front surface of the refrigerator main body 100 and can selectively open and close an opening formed on the front surface of the refrigerator main body 100 when necessary. There may be provided one or more sliding doors 200 to be pulled out or inserted into the refrigerator main body 100.

In other words, one sliding door 200 may be provided at the refrigerator main body 100 to open the entire front surface of the refrigerator main body 100, or two or more sliding doors 200 may be provided to partially open the front surface of the refrigerator main body 100.

Further, the sliding door 200 can be divided into an upper part and a lower part of the refrigerator main body 100, or can be divided into a right part and a left part when necessary, depending on user's need.

In the embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the sliding door 200 is divided into an upper part and a lower part to partially open and close the opening of the refrigerator main body 100. However, the sliding door 200 is not necessarily divided into the upper part and the lower part, and may be divided into a right part and a left part or may be divided into four parts vertically and horizontally.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sliding door 200 may have a plurality of shelves 210 to store items such as food and the like. The shelves 210 may be spaced apart from each other at an appropriate gap along the height direction of the sliding door 200. The side surfaces of the shelves 210 are opened so that items to be stored can be put into the shelves 210 and the stored items can be taken out from the side portion of the sliding door 200 in a state where the sliding door 200 is pulled out (opened) from the refrigerator main body 100.

The height of the shelves 210 or the gap between the shelves 210 can be appropriately adjusted on the sliding door 200 depending on the size of the item to be stored.

The guide rails 300 can guide the moving route (“displacement route”) of the sliding doors 200 so that the sliding doors 200 can be inserted into and pulled out from the refrigerator main body 100 along the preset route without being completely separated from the refrigerator main body 100.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include wheels 400 for supporting the load of the sliding door 200 in a state where the sliding door 200 is pulled out as shown in FIG. 3 to store food in or take out food from the refrigerator (specifically, the sliding door 200).

When two or more sliding doors 200 are provided as described above, the wheels 400 are rotatably disposed at the lower part of the lowermost sliding door 200 to support the load of the sliding door 200 pulled out from the refrigerator main body 100.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the items in the refrigerator are stored not in the refrigerator main body 100 but in the shelves 210 provided at the sliding doors 200. Therefore, the weight of the items such as food and the like as well as the load of the sliding door 200 are put on the sliding door 200. Accordingly, when the sliding door 200 is pulled out, the sliding door 200 may droop. In that case, the wheels 400 can prevent drooping of the door by supporting the load of the sliding door 200 and reduce the burden of the guide rails 300.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the guide rail 300 may include a fixed rail 310 and a moving rail 320.

The fixed rail 310 may be provided at both side surfaces of the refrigerator main body 100 to extend along the direction in which the sliding door 200 is pulled out so that the sliding door 200 can move along the preset moving route. The fixed rail 310 may be fixed to the refrigerator main body 100.

The moving rail 320 is connected to the sliding door 200 and moved together with the sliding door 200. The moving rail 320 is slidably coupled to the fixed rail 310 and can move along the fixed rail 310.

In other words, the moving rail 320 is installed on the sliding door 200 and moved together with the sliding door 200, and the fixed rail 310 is fixed to the refrigerator main body 100. When the sliding door 200 is pulled out, the moving rail 320 (insertion-fitted to the fixed rail 310) is guided along the fixed rail 310 and, thus, the sliding door 200 can move along the same route.

The moving rail 320 may be disposed at both sides of the shelf 210 to support the shelf 210 disposed at the sliding door 200.

In other words, the shelf 210 is positioned on the moving rail 320 and, thus, the moving rail 320 can stably support the load of the shelf 210. Accordingly, the moving rail 320 can perform functions of guiding the moving shelf and supporting the load of the shelf 210 at the time of opening and closing the sliding door 200.

The guide rail 300 may further include a guide roller 330 rotatably provided on the route of the moving rail 320. Due to the presence of the guide roller 330, the moving rail 320 can move smoothly with reduced friction noise caused by the movement.

As shown in FIG. 4, the refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include an operation switch 500, a door driving unit 600, and a control unit 700.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the operation switch 500 is disposed at one side of the sliding door 200. When a user presses or touches the operation switch 500, an electrical signal is generated.

For easier recognition and manipulation, the operation switch 500 may be disposed at one side of the front surface of the sliding door 200. The operation switch 500 may be configured in various forms. For example, a push button type operation switch may be employed.

The door driving unit 600 applies an external force to the moving rail 320 so that the sliding door 200 can automatically move, when necessary, without requiring a user to directly apply an external force to the sliding door 200 to open and close the refrigerator. Due to the external force applied to the moving rail 320 by the door driving unit 600, the sliding door 200 can be opened or closed.

Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door driving unit 600 may include a rack gear 610 and a pinion gear 620.

The rack gear 610 may be formed at one side of the moving rail 320. Specifically, the rack gear 610 may extend on the lower surface of the moving rail 320 along the longitudinal direction of the moving rail 320.

The pinion gear 620 may be rotatably formed on the route of the moving rail 320 at one side of the refrigerator main body 100. The pinion gear 620 is tooth-engaged with the rack gear 610 and driven by a control signal received from the control unit 700.

Therefore, when the control signal is outputted from the control unit 700, the pinion gear 620 rotates and transmits the rotational force to the rack gear 610. Accordingly, the moving rail 320 is moved and the sliding door 200 can be automatically opened or closed.

The door driving unit 600 including the rack gear 610 and the pinion gear 620 may be disposed on all the moving rails 320. However, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the door driving unit 600 may be disposed on one or more moving rails 320. For example, when the door driving unit 600 is provided on any one of the moving rails 320, it is preferable that the door driving unit 600 is provided on the moving rail 320 disposed at an intermediate portion in the height direction in order to efficiently open and close the sliding door 200.

The refrigerator according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a foot sensor 800 that allows a user whose hands are full with items to be stored to nevertheless open and close the sliding door 200 by foot operation without manipulating the operation switch 500.

The foot sensor 800 is provided at the lower end of the lowermost sliding door 200 among the plurality of sliding doors 200. The foot sensor 800 can sense a user's foot or the movement of the user's foot and transmit a predetermined detection signal to the control unit 700.

When the signal from the foot sensor 800 is received, the control unit 700 transmits a control signal to the door driving unit 600 to automatically open and close the sliding door 200. Accordingly, the users can open and close the sliding door 200 by foot operation when it may be otherwise difficult to use their hands.

While the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described, the present disclosure is not limited to those examples. It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be made within the scope of the claims and such changes or modifications fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A drawer type refrigerator, comprising: a refrigerator main body having an open front surface; a plurality of sliding doors configured to open and close the front surface of the refrigerator main body, wherein the plurality of sliding doors are configured to be pulled out from the refrigerator main body; and a guide rail providing a displacement route of a sliding door, of the plurality of sliding doors, pulled out from the refrigerator main body, wherein the sliding door comprises a plurality of shelves configured to store items and spaced apart from each other in a height direction of the sliding door.
 2. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: wheels rotatably disposed at a lower part of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors, wherein the wheels are configured to support a load of the sliding door.
 3. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the guide rail comprises: a fixed rail fixed to both sides of the refrigerator main body along a direction in which the sliding door is pulled out; and a moving rail that is slidably coupled to the fixed rail and configured to move along the fixed rail and connected to the sliding door to move together with the sliding door.
 4. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the moving rail is disposed at both sides of the plurality of shelves to support the plurality of shelves.
 5. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 3, wherein the guide rail further comprises a guide roller rotatably disposed on a displacement route of the moving rail.
 6. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 3, further comprising: an operation switch disposed at one side of the sliding door and operable to generate a drive signal in response to a user interaction therewith; a door driving unit configured to apply an external force to the moving rail to move the sliding door; and a control unit configured to control the door driving unit by a received drive signal.
 7. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the door driving unit comprises: a rack gear formed at one side of the moving rail; and a pinion gear that is rotatably disposed at one side of the refrigerator main body, wherein the pinion gear is tooth-engaged with the rack gear, and driven by the control unit.
 8. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising: a foot sensor disposed at a lower end of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and configured to detect a user's foot and responsive thereto to transmit a drive signal to the control unit.
 9. A drawer type refrigerator, comprising: a main body having an open front; a plurality of sliding doors configured to open and close the front of the main body, wherein the plurality of sliding doors in operation are configured to be pulled out from, and pushed into, the main body; and a plurality of guide rails providing displacement routes of the plurality of sliding doors during operations thereof, wherein each respective sliding door of the plurality of sliding doors comprises a plurality of shelves configured to store items and spaced apart from each other in a height direction of the respective sliding door.
 10. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 9, further comprising: wheels rotatably disposed at a lower part of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and wherein the wheels are configured to support a load of the sliding door.
 11. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 9, wherein a respective guide rail of the plurality of guide rails comprises: a fixed rail fixed to both sides of the main body along a direction in which the respective sliding door is pulled out; and a moving rail that is slidably coupled to the fixed rail and configured to move along the fixed rail and connected to the respective sliding door to move together therewith.
 12. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the moving rail is disposed at both sides of the plurality of shelves to support the plurality of shelves.
 13. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the respective guide rail further comprises a guide roller rotatably disposed on a displacement route of the moving rail.
 14. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 11, further comprising: an operation switch disposed at one side of the respective sliding door and operable to generate a drive signal responsive to a user interaction therewith; a door driving unit configured to apply an external force to the moving rail to move the respective sliding door; and a control unit configured to control the door driving unit by a received drive signal.
 15. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the door driving unit comprises: a rack gear formed at one side of the moving rail; and a pinion gear that is rotatably disposed at one side of the main body, wherein the pinion gear is tooth-engaged with the rack gear, and driven by the control unit.
 16. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising: a foot sensor disposed at a lower end of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and configured to detect a user's foot and responsive thereto to transmit a drive signal to the control unit.
 17. A drawer type refrigerator, comprising: a main body having an open front; a plurality of sliding doors configured to open and close the front of the main body, wherein the plurality of sliding doors in operation are configured to be pulled out from, and pushed into, the main body; a plurality of guide rails providing displacement routes of the plurality of sliding doors during operations thereof, wherein each respective sliding door of the plurality of sliding doors comprises a plurality of shelves configured to store items and spaced apart from each other in a height direction of the respective sliding door; and a sliding door opener operable to facilitate opening of the plurality of sliding doors responsive to user interaction.
 18. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 17, further comprising: wheels rotatably disposed at a lower part of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and wherein the wheels are configured to support a load of the sliding door and wherein a respective guide rail of the plurality of guide rails comprises: a fixed rail fixed to both sides of the main body along a direction in which the respective sliding door is pulled out; and a moving rail that is slidably coupled to the fixed rail and configured to move along the fixed rail and connected to the respective sliding door to move together therewith.
 19. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 18, wherein the sliding door opener further comprises: an operation switch disposed at one side of the respective sliding door and operable to generate a drive signal responsive to a user interaction therewith; a door driving unit configured to apply an external force to the moving rail to move the respective sliding door; a control unit configured to control the door driving unit by a received drive signal; and a foot sensor disposed at a lower end of a lowermost sliding door among the plurality of sliding doors and configured to detect a user's foot and responsive thereto to transmit a drive signal to the control unit.
 20. The drawer type refrigerator of claim 19, wherein the door driving unit comprises: a rack gear formed at one side of the moving rail; and a pinion gear that is rotatably disposed at one side of the main body, wherein the pinion gear is tooth-engaged with the rack gear, and driven by the control unit. 